Stop Smoking Support Thread
Comments
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The diacetyle flavoring is in food products as well. Some research is connecting it to popcorn lung. It is only a matter of time before the FDA starts regulating the ecig business. That is why I did my research and found a company that doesn't use diacetyle and follows the FDA suggested protocols even though they are not yet required to. Just like herbal supplements...no FDA standards and very little research because these can't be trademarked ergo no money in it. Like everything else....including our doctors and our insurance....we have to research everything. We can't take anything at face value.
Just look at our healthcare.....our treatments, tests, or lack thereof is being dictated by insurance companies NOT by our doctors. How messed up is all of this?
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So AnnieKay - based on your research, what company or companies actually produce e-smokes that don't use that bad chemical & do follow the FDA recommendation? There are enough people who stop by this thread looking for encouragement or help or answers that it would be a good thing to know.
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I posted the above because it applies to all of us in all matters of life!
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I'm not advocating for any particular ecig company. But my research showed that Vaporfi uses the best and safest ingredients. Check their web page. Of course, I have to take their claims as truth because there is no current FDA confirmation.
For me personally right now with my health issues and ongoing worries about my husband who had a heart attack, surgery then a stroke in July of last year and is back to work but still not 100%..... Quitting smoking all together simply didn't work for me so I tried ecigs. I use 0 or .6% nicotine so it doesn't interfere with my healing. I'm not saying these are good for you, but I am saying that for me they are a much better alternative and the only thing standing between me and cigarettes.
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thanks judi for the picture .
Bosom, I also had no insyrance when I found my lump . I also got on a program for unisured womem thar onky coverd mammo and pap test , tgen after diagnosis thet pay fir treatment , surgery , as soon as all my treatment were done no more insurance. I am on NY medicaud however I am not there. I called becayse uts Emblem to see if I coyld transfer to NC and she said no I need to apply here . But like I said I have no way there . I also remember I was working for walnart pharmacy and I got pancreatitus and was in hospital fir 7ndays then tgey cancelled me and I git sued for bill... so I think insurance dont want to pay if your sick regardless if its cancer or nit . Sorry fir my spelling I hate typing on tjis tablet .
Xoxoco
Lisamarie
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This is why I am so against vaping. I'm sure you have done your homework about VaporFi but so much on their website is designed to be misleading and not tell the truth:
1. they claim they are a "FDA registered lab"---but they are registered with FDAimports and if you look on FDAimports website, they will tell you that they are not connected to the govt agency of the FDA.
2. "Diacetyl free"--click to see their lab report--which is just a "sample"--but they claim to have 30,000 different flavors--where are the 30,000 different reports showing exacting what is in them? Diacetyl isn't the only problem chemical.--cherry flavoring is also a problem. Diacetyl is just the one that is in the headlines. Where is the research where these 30,000 different flavors have been tested?
3. High operation (sic) standards--- for dietary supplements
4. "Formulas are FDA registered"---again they are registered with FDA imports which has nothing to do with the govt agency FDA.
5. 100% made in the USA----but that only means they are mixed in the USA, but that doesn't mean that the original products are made in the USA. Almost all of the chemicals used in e-liquid are sourced in China.
5. GRAS approved--Generally recognized as safe--is for food only. They say their chemicals are meant to be inhaled--where is the research to prove that--especially when they say they have 30,000 different flavors.
6. what does "better than food grade flavorings" really mean??? --it means nothing, just an attempt to mislead.
This is why they need to be regulated.
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Thanks VJ. So many things on the internet are misleading. So frustrating.
I have a very intelligent friend who almost fell for the phone call from "IRS" about last chance to pay the shortage now or go to jail. She was panicked and went & got the money out of her savings. Luckily she called me before calling the bogus scam people back & luckily I'd already read about the scam. Whew.
Annie Kay - sigh!! We do understand that you are under lots of stress right now & quitting isn't an option. Sounds like you've tried to pick the best solution for you at this time. We all know what it's like to be hanging in there by the skin of your teeth. One of our regulars quit with ecigs. I think it was April. Hang in there girl. Things will get better.
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I do think that there is a future for e-cigs in cessation but right now the manufacturers are conducting uncontrolled experiments with peoples live. I have worked with several people who have used e-cigs. The latest guy has switched to the inhaler on my suggestion (and after his mother threw out his $50 tank).
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VJ, thanks for the follow-up. You are so knowledgeable on this subject and for me I have reasons for not using e-cigarettes. Mainly, I hadn't heard of them even though I worked in the Health Department but not that section. What I also read in this very short article was that "researchers have found that e-cigarettes contain formaldehyde and other flavouring chemicals that can cause lung damage". I honestly didn't know that e-liquid is sourced in China. After watching a Marketplace show documenting a toxic chemical found in silver earrings where most of them are made in China, I'm getting more pro "made at home" type of girl. Not that this means that it's better but we definitely need stricter controls. I know that e-cigarettes are not Health Canada approved but they are in the process of regulating them or eliminating them all together. Boy, you really have to be on top with what we put in our bodies and I mean this goes for everything!
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JudiH-- it really is "beware of headlines" --on either side, most are exaggerated. For example the one about formaldehyde---it was only formed at extremely high temperatures--temperatures that no vaper would use, so users really aren't exposed to high levels of it. The original researchers even said so, but that didn't stop the sensational headlines about it.
The truth is really somewhere in the middle. Last year the FDA held 6 days of public workshops where researchers from both sides were invited to participate. I have watched/listened to all 6 days and what I got out of it--is that this new technology is different than anything before, so you can't rely on the past use of any of these ingredients as to safety--it has to do with chemistry--the chemistry is different than inhaling something and different than burning it. We are in uncharted waters.
The problem is that most are comparing short term use to long term cigarette use.apples and oranges Using them for a short time to quit is definitely better than continuing to smoke for the rest of your life. The problem becomes what is "short term" and can any harm be caused in the "short term"?
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I agree with you that the ecig companies should be regulated by the FDA. Problem is right now they are not....and right now is when I personally need to use an ecig in order to stay away from cigarettes.
I realize this is not the perfect solution and it is certainly not for everyone. I am in awe of every woman on here who managed to quit smoking. I've tried and tried and just was not successful. Going the e-cig route helped me quit a pack a day for over 30 years smoking habit.
I can only hope and pray the choice I have made is at the very least not as harmful to me as cigarettes have been.
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VJ, thanks for the update. As I've said, I no nothing about them and I only know what I read. It is informative people as yourself who sets me straight. Thanks for taking the time to highlight the info. Your right about short term vs long term but as you said "what is short term". I like to think that the government is there for the people but we have seen that this is not always the case.
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Annie - WOW - getting rid of a pack a day for 30 year habit takes a HUGE amount of discipline. When the time is right, you'll drop the e-cigs too.
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Thanks MinusTwo I was beginning to fell misunderstood on this board. I really am NOT advocating for ecigs but it was the only thing that helped me. I was able to go from 2.4% nicotine to 0 once the PS told me to. I feel like I'm doing well. For me apparently it's the emotional attachment I can't kick.
I really am hopeful once these TEs are gone and my life no longer revolves around the cancer, that I can start exercising and doing other things to reduce stress and hopefully be able to give up the ecigs too. But for now, this is my life.
Thanks again for the understanding.
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AnnieKay80, you have enough on your plate without adding more stress about quitting e-cigs. I hope that you noticed that I had mentioned short term use v long term use. I would just stay away from any custardy flavors or cherry. Usually I work with smokers who have tried e-cigs and they haven't worked, which is why they come to see me. I think doctors are really ignorant when it comes to nicotine, most plastic surgeons won't let their patients use nicotine medications. The problem isn't the nicotine, it's the other 7000 chemicals.
I would be interested to know how the water problem is affecting you?
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Oh Annie, I'm sorry if you felt that you were misunderstood. I only posed this question as I'm so ignorant of e-cigarettes. Trust me, if I had known about them I probably would have used them. Quitting smoking is one of the hardest things to do and we all use what methods we can to quit the nasty habit. I've tried everything and it never worked. The most funniest one I tried, was hypnosis and I walked out and lit up. For others, it worked but not for me. I'm just like my other family members .... when something BIG HEALTH WISE happens then we quit on the spot. Both by dad and grandad were alcoholics and once they had their heart attack, they quit then and there. Please accept my apologies if you felt I slighted you ... I was only asking because I wanted to be a bit more knowledgable. You'll quit when it's your time!
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Thank you everyone for the support. I am sorry if I was being defensive, but these days my emotions are all over the place. One minute I'm laughing and the next I'm crying. The PS says it's the hormones. What hormones?
As for my wonderful Flint water.... we use a filter in the kitchen and lots of bottled water. I have had to use baby wipes to bathe ever since surgery cause the surgeon doest want that water anywhere near my incisions....neither do i. I was washing my face as usual and noticed how sensitive it had become....the skin was red and using my regular moisturizer stung. So I researched and found a facial cleanser called micellar water that requires no rinsing....no more stinging. It's like camping in your own house, only we get the privilege of paying water bills that average $150 a month. Can you believe we are still paying full price for this sludge?
Health wise I have my suspicions. I'm hypothyroid and take synthroid. My levels were steady for years. About a year and a half ago I started having appetite issues....nothing sounds good and if I force it I usually vomit. This has nothing to do with weight or body issues (I'm about 5'5" and weigh 135 now)....I lost 10 pounds cause I was 145 but I was comfortable with that weight. About 7 months ago my blood work showed elevated levels so my Dr doubled my synthroid. About 6 weeks ago new blood work shows its still off....doubled again. If the next batch of blood work is still off I'm wanting to see an endocrinoligist. Also I am always either too cold or too hot...it's like my body thermostat is broke. I also believe it's the thyroid responsible for the emotional Rollercoaster.
In addition to all this my son who is 26 and still lives with us was diagnosed with Hashimotos thyroiditis 2 years ago. I've done some research but it seems murky about whether these issues could be related to the lead in the water. Then again there is so many other poisons in the water, how do you know what is doing what?
Oh yeah, 2 1/2 years ago I was diagnosed with a parathyroid adenoma. Had surgery and 3 out of my 4 parathyroid glands were removed. No cancer there, but that is quite rare I guess.
I've lived in Flint ever since I married my husband 35 years ago, so I've been drinking this sludge for years.... I really don't know what it has done to us all. If I could afford to move I'd have been gone long ago. Anybody want to buy a house in Flint?
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Goodness Annie, I didn't notice you're in Flint. So sorry for all the toxic mess.
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AnnieKay80, I am the person here who quit smoking with e-cigs (and other methods as well- I used EVERYTHING I had access too including a smoking cessation program at Yale where I was treated for my BC) and I have to say, they were instrumental in helping me to stop. I am coming up on 3 years now and occasionally, if I am really stressed, I still vape using 0 nicotine ecig. But, I do it very infrequently now. In the beginning, I used it more often. It does satisfy the hand to mouth aspect, at least for me. I am not worried about any effects long term. It helped me to become a non smoker after over 40 years of pack a day. I am a fan.
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Thank you everyone for your concern. I am hopeful that once I can really exercise I can use that instead of vaping. Right now just trying to keep my head above water here. Lol. Got to laugh or else I'll cry.
For various reasons I'm only allowed to do gentle arm exercises and a little walking. I'm so looking forward to summer. Wish I could travel then I would go visit my sister in Florida. But when I'm done with the TEs and exchange I am so going down to sit on the beach in the warm sun down in Florida.
One day at a time here. Cyber hugs to you all......
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Packing my suitcase & cleaning out the fridge. I leave at the crack of dawn tomorrow to visit family in Hawaii for a week. I've been promising to get there since 2010 but BC had other plans for me. This spring I am trying to catch up on family visits. Oh my - trying on bathing suits is not pretty. And both sets of family who live there are under 40 so you know I'll be needing one. One of the guys wants to teach me to SUP (stand up paddle), which is all the rage, but I can't see that happening. I'll be thinking of you all & catch up with everyone next week.
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For those of you who haven't seen the thread "Breaking Research News" from the Mods, the latest report is about smoking & quitting. Posted 2/2. Link below if you're interested.
https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics/785923?page=20#idx_575
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https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/73/topics/785923?page=20#idx_575
Made it clickable. Thanks Minus...have a wonderful and a SAFE trip. I am jealous!
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MT, I'm so jealous of your upcoming trip but safe travels and have a fabulous time. Annie, I hear you about the hormones. My dh says I'm the biggest b#%ch going and that my hormones must be responsible. What a laugh - he doesn't think it is him. It's partly the hormones and partly I'm done with cancer. I just want this whole trip over. I see the oncologist on Feb. 23/16 and have my lung CT scan on March 2nd. This new test is so new for me ... never knew that the dr. wants this due to years of smoking (40+ and a pack a day - maybe two is I was at a party or I was bored). Anyways, you can only look ahead and do what's best for you. Goggle Dr. Oz's show for yesterday - Erin Brockovich was on re water. Very good. Maybe you need to get her involved in Flint's water problem. I feel so bad for you ... if it's not one things then it's another. Keep you head up .... we are all here for you!
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JudiH
Thanks for the support. I can't wait til the day I can say I'm done with cancer, although technically I am done. Just got to get through the recon now. Does anyone NOT hate TEs?
Internet going in and our so I'll make this short. What a pain it is to not be able to use the water in your own bathroom......I hate these baby wipe baths. Not being allowed ANY pain meds is adding stress. Muscle relaxers alone just aren't cutting it. Holding on here......barely.
Count me in as jealous of a Hawaiian trip too. I'll settle for Florida when I'm all done. 4 more months or so???? Who knows....but I can't wait. Just hoping I'm done and healthy....with hormones calmed back down.....by summer. I want some sun! This winter hasn't been that cold, but it certainly has been dreary and gloomy.
Cyber hugs to everyone....
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Annie, remember tomorrow is always a better day. Hope that water issue gets cleared up FAST! I'm with you .... I would be losing it with baby wipe baths. I'm a water freak so I would be moving out or looking at resolving the issue with whoever is responsible for CLEAN, SAFE WATER!
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Anniek seems you just have no happy ending except looking forward to sunny florida ... i too have hashimotos and i too believe that our thyroid causes crazy emotions along with lots of other things .. ie weight issues, anxiety, pain, emotional roller coaster, tired, hair falls out , and it goes on an on .. i feel your pain. i do also think that you letting go of a pack a day 30 year habit is amazing .. no matter how its done ... i tried the vap but for me i just went back to the real deal.. everyone is different ...but to be honest with all my stress these days I want to smoke so bad that i keep looking at them .. but if i do that ill bring myself back and im afraid ill never stop again ... ive been quit over a year now but through chantix .. and even that was prolonged .. because I was supposed to not be smoking and i held onto the morning smoke for a while and beat myself up all the time .. but the ladies here just kept reassuring me my day would come and it did .. so hang in there becasue your day will come as well ... and be proud ...
Minus .. I think I may have missed you
.. I hope you have an amazing trip to Hawaii ... I have never been but I do have it on my bucket list someday ...Bosom, I am looking to do it online .. thats how i did it back in NY .. love ya ..
as for me I got my little job in housekeeping at the nursing home .. guess ya gotta start somewhere .. then I will pay the 101 dollars ti take the CNA for this state and go on as a CNA .. but for now all worked out although im only going to be making 7.50 per hour its a start .. I start tomorrow ...I just gotta say thank you to all of you here that have been so kind and loving to me ... This is a crazy journey im on and I hope for the best ... My x husband lives here also and he cant stand me. he is immature and wont get along for the kids sake .. and grandchildrens sake .. crazy as he is .. anyway his brother passed away yesterday in his sleep at age 55 .. they say it was a massive heart attack .. and I feel so bad for my kids .. as you all know my daughter is about to give birth to my 4th grandchild .. anyway .. it's crazy everywhere .. I got my laptop to work so I am happy about that but ya neber know when its going to not work ...
Ok I think I talked too much .. once again Love you all
xoxoxoxoxxo
Lisamarie
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Oh LisaMarie, you have kept you head held up high. I'm going to post something for you. LisaMarie, does you job in the nursing home have health care coverage?
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Here you go LisaMarie!
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